Metallic box



Sept. 6, 1932.

.1. KNAGGS METALLI C BOX Filed March 20, 1931 Patented Sept. 6, 1932 barren STATES PATENT I OFFIQEZ.

".iosnrn xnnees, or TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE SWARTZBAUG-H MANUFACTUE- ING coraPAnY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION METALLIC BOX Application filed March 20, 1931.

In the manufacture of metallic boxes, many different means have been proposed for interlocking the wall members of the box with the top and bottom members so that the parts may be securely interlocked together.

The present invention provides a novel interlocking means adapted to be applied to sheet metal boxes wherein there results a box construction which may be easily and quickly assembled, the several members thereof being stiffly and securely interlocked, with the corners strongly reinforced, so that access to the interior of the box can not be had except by destructive mutilation of one or more of the box members. These novel interlocking means avoid the use of screws or other more or less unsightly fastening members, producing an article of more pleasing appearance at the surface and rims thereof, as an unbroken polished. surface can be employed.

The invention generally embraces the formation of the adjacent parts of the wall portion of the box and the top and bottom portions adapted to be secured to the said, wall portions, into cooperating channel mem bers, the sides of which are in substantially opposite position permitting the insertion betweenthe channels of an interlocking strip, which, being secured in position by engageof F 1 looking in the direction of the an Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view of the top or bottom member of the construction illustrate-cl in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. l is a similar view of the side member, or wall member, these last two figures showment with the sides of the respective charr- Serial No. 524,110.

ing a'convenient configuration of the cooperating channels, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an interlocking strip adapted to be inserted between the channels upon assembly of the box to securely lock the side members of the box to the remaining portions thereof.

It will be understood from the drawing that the member 10 may be either the top or bottom surface of the'assembled box, but for '12, to form a flange, the lower portion of which flange is turned upwardly to form a channel 13 having the upstanding side 13a, there being thus formed a substantially U- shaped channel, the sides of which are conveniently, though not necessarily substantially parallel.

The side member 11 is similarly turned along its edge to provide the channel 14 having the side 1464 corresponding to the side 1305 above described, so that when assembled the side 14a of the channel 14 engages the flange 12 of the top '10, and the side 18a of the channel 13 engages the side portion 11 with V a sufficient space for the insertion of the interlocking bar '15. There may also be provided the reinforcing member 16, welded in place at 16a.

It will be seen that the construction is duplicated at each cornerof the box, as indicated in Fig. 1, and each corner joint may be welded or soldered over to completely enclose the construction to prevent access thereto except by destructive mutilation of one or more of the box members.

The invention is very rigidly and securely interlocked with the corners sturdily reinforced, as will be apparent, while the con struction may be assembled very easily and very expeditiously.

It will also be apparent that the construetion is utilizable for many purposes, such as a receptacle or container of any kind, and its construction is particularly adapted for use as a portable food conveyor for transporting food stuffs into and out of factory cafeterias and similar places where large volume or quantity of materials must be handled in a short space of time. It will be obvious as previously indicated, however, that the use of this construction is not limited in any way to this specific adaptation, it being adapted anywhere where a stiff and strong construction is required.

It may be noted that the sides, ends, bottoms and covers may be packed and shipped in a knock-down flat condition and assembled as required, and it will also be noted that all the members are single pieces of :1 sheet metal, adapted to be produced by suitable cutting and forming dies or analogous tools.

It will also be apparent that many chan es in the details of the construction of this app i- 1 cation may be made without departing from the inventive concept and that such changes in the details will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in. this art. It will therefore be understood that it is intended and desired to embrace within the scope of this invention such modifications and changes as may be required to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus described my invention, what I I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States, is:

1. In a boX of the character described, side and end members having their adjacent vertical edges bent outwardly and downwardly,

and a top member adapted to interlock with the side and end members, the said top member being bent to form a depending flange the edge of which is bent inwardly and upwardly to correspond with the bends of the sideandendmembers, and forming cooperating channels therewith, and a member in the said channels and interlocking therewith to rigidly hold the top member to the side and end members.

2. An article of the character described, comprising interlockingly interengaging members, each having cooperating channels formed therein, and a rigid member inserted within the channels and so shaped as to constitute an interlocking member within the channels.

3. An article of the character described, comprising interengaging members, each having substantially Ll-shaped channels formed therein, one of the channels being inverted over the other when the members are in assembled position, and a rigid member within the channels and held in position by engagement with the sides thereof to interlock the said interengaging members in position.

4. An article of the character described, comprising .interengaging members having substantially U-shaped channels formed therein and adapted to interlockingly cooperate in relatively inverted relationship, and a rigid bar within the channels to rigidly interlock the interengaging members in assembled relationship.

5. An article of the character described, comprising a member adapted to serve as a top or bottom surface, a member adapted to form a side, the said top or bottom member being bent to form a flange, the said flange being further bent inwardly along edge to form a substantially U-shaped channel, the said side member being also bent along its edges to form a substantially ll-shaped channel for cooperation with the first U-shaped channel when the members are assembled, and an interlocking member adapted to fit between the cooperating channels to rigidly interlock the members in assembled position.

6. An article of the character described, comprising a member adapted to serve as a top or bottom surface, a member adapted to form a side, the said top or bottom member being bent to form a flange, the said iange being further bent inwardly along its edge to form a substantially U-shaped channel, said side member being also bent along its edges to form a substantially Ll-shaped channel for cooperation with the first U-shaped channel when the members are assembled, and an interlocking member adapted to fit between the cooperating channels to rigidly interlock the members in assembled position, and a reinforcing bar abutting against the side and top or bottom members, and welded in position thereagainst.

7. A table or counter comprising vertical side members provided with a flange along the upper edge thereof, a top supporting member secured to the side member, and a top member supported by the top supporting member and provided with a flange for interlocking with the flange of the side members.

8. A table or counter comprising a vertical side, a top supporting member secured thereto, the side being bent to form a substantially U-shaped flange, and a top carried by the side and the top supporting member, the top having its edges bent into a flange adapted to interlock with the side flange.

9. A table or counter comprising a top and side members, the top being bent around its edges to form a substantially U-sh'aped flange, the sides being bent along their top engaging edges to form an inverted U-shaped flange for interlocking with the first mentioned U-shapedflange member, and means ecured to the sides and top for supporting and reinforcing the top.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature. 

